25th European Economic Lecture: Professor Reinhilde Veugelers on Industrial Policy and Innovation in Europe

On Wednesday, 30 September 2026, we had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Dr Reinhilde VEUGELERS to Bruges for the 25th European Economic Lecture on “Industrial Policy Making in Europe: Leveraging Innovation”, organised by our European Economic Studies Department.

In her address, Professor Veugelers examined one of the central challenges facing European industrial policy today: how to pursue multiple strategic objectives at the same time, from economic growth, competitiveness and job creation to decarbonisation, resilience, strategic autonomy and social cohesion.

At the heart of the discussion was the role of innovation in helping Europe navigate these competing priorities. Professor Veugelers argued that a strong and effectively guided innovation system can help reconcile objectives that are often perceived as being in tension, supporting competitive value creation and employment while advancing decarbonisation, strengthening strategic autonomy and limiting trade-offs between economic and social priorities.

The event also provided an opportunity to assess the European Union’s current position on competitiveness and innovation, as well as recent developments in the design of European industrial policy. Drawing on these trends, Professor Veugelers outlined a number of policy requirements and recommendations for ensuring that innovation can play a central role in strengthening Europe’s industrial and economic performance.

The lecture offered to our students a timely opportunity to examine how innovation can help Europe reconcile competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy within a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

Photos of the Event